Rider ejector arrangement for a single track vehicle, such as a motorcycle

Abstract

A safety installation for single track vehicles, especially motorcycles, which enables the driver of the motorcycle to be thrown over an obstacle, particularly in case of lateral impact against a passenger motor vehicle; a support element with a deflection surface is provided for that purpose ahead of the driver; the support element, which can be constructed as tank-mounted carrier, is rotatably supported to the motorcycle frame about an axis of rotation which extends as a cross axis which is disposed ahead of and below the deflection surface.

I claim: 
     
       1. A single track vehicle comprising a frame, a seat and a deflection surface means arranged generally in front of the upper body of the driver for accelerating the driver upwardly in case of a deceleration conditioned by an accident, characterized in that the deflection surface means is constructed as a form-rigid support element which is pivotal with respect to the frame about a cross axis located below and in front of the deflection surface means. 
     
     
       2. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element is constructed as an inherently form-rigid tank-mounted carrier of a motorcycle. 
     
     
       3. A single track vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the deflection surface means is padded. 
     
     
       4. A single track vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the deflection surface means is adjustable in height. 
     
     
       5. A single track vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrier is a container having a bottom part and an upper part pivotally secured to the bottom part, the bottom and upper parts being operable to be locked together on the side of the deflection surface means, and the pivot axis for the upper part to the bottom part being disposed opposite the deflection surface means. 
     
     
       6. A single track vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot axis between the bottom part and the upper part is located generally in the same area as the cross axis of the deflection surface means. 
     
     
       7. A single track vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottom part includes a spring-loaded safety latch provided with an inertia mass which is adapted to engage in a fixed frame part of the motorcycle. 
     
     
       8. A single track vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the support element includes laterally projecting formed-out portions serving as knee protection. 
     
     
       9. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection surface means is adjustable in height. 
     
     
       10. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element is formed as a container having a bottom part and an upper part pivotally secured to the bottom part, the bottom and upper parts being operable to be locked together on the side of the deflection surface means, and the pivot axis for the upper part to the bottom part being disposed opposite the deflection surface means. 
     
     
       11. A single track vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the pivot axis between the bottom part and the upper part is located generally in the same area as the cross axis of the deflection surface means. 
     
     
       12. A single track vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that the support element includes a spring-loaded safety latch provided with an inertia mass which is adapted to engage in a fixed frame part of the motorcycle. 
     
     
       13. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element includes laterally projecting formed-out portions serving as knee protection. 
     
     
       14. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element includes a spring-loaded safety latch provided with an inertia mass which is adapted to engage in a fixed frame part of the motorcycle. 
     
     
       15. A single track vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection surface means is padded. 
     
     
       16. A safety arrangement for a single track vehicle having a frame and a seat, the arrangement comprising deflection surface means formed as part of a form rigid support element pivoted relative to the vehicle frame and disposed generally in front of the upper body of a driver of the vehicle, said support element being pivoted about a transverse axis disposed generally forwardly of the deflection surface means in the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein deceleration conditioned by the vehicle impacting an object results in the driver engaging the deflection surface means and being moved upwardly away from the vehicle by the support element pivoting about the transverse axis. 
     
     
       17. A safety arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein a spring-loaded safety latch having an inertia mass for actuation is operatively associated with the support element and the frame of the vehicle. 
     
     
       18. A safety arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein the support element is constructed as a container. 
     
     
       19. A safety arrangement as set forth in claim 18, wherein the container includes an upper part pivotally connected to a bottom part and fastening means for adjustably securing the upper part to the bottom part. 
     
     
       20. A safety arrangement as set forth in claim 16, wherein the transverse axis is disposed forwardly and below the deflection surface means in the direction of travel of the vehicle wherein the support element is freely pivotable about the transverse axis upon the impacting of the vehicle with an object to move the driver of the vehicle engaged with the deflection surface means upwardly away from the vehicle.